With a new Batman movie about to open — which includes Anne Hathaway as Catwoman — it seemed like a good time to check in with the original Cawoman.
Brentwood’s very own Julie Newmar At 78, Julie Newmar – star of television, movies and Broadway — is as gorgeous as ever. She is also highly intelligent and spiritual; there is an inner glow about her. It’s impossible not to be drawn in.
In addition to her acting career, Julie is a businesswoman, a landlord, a mother, a gardener with several flowers named after her – and an author.
How she keeps things in balance is explained in a book she wrote in 2011, “The Conscious Catwoman Explains Life on Earth†.
In this highly personal and beautifully illustrated paperback, she explains how to live life to the fullest. It’s the last ‘how to’ book you’ll ev
er need, says the cover; readers will learn “how to be more than your age, your education, your looks, your bank account and that small stuff…â€
Though the book can be read quickly, it should be savored, taken in slowly – and revisited from time to time. Young girls trying to find their way in the world especially would be smart to get their hands on a copy. It’s available on Amazon and JulieNewmar.com/book
“It’s about excellence in life,†explains Julie. “Most people think they don’t want to grow old.
Wrong. What you do want IS to grow old. Otherwise you are neither lucky, nor particularly smart and certainly not wise.â€
When she starred as Catwoman in the original Batman TV series (on ABC, 1966 through 1968), fan letters from men and boys started pouring in from all around the world.
I
t hasn’t stopped. Julie has a power over men – and she knows it. Every day Julie receives emails from males all around the world seeking a signed photograph.
Many write in to confess how turned on they were way back when – and that they still fantasize about her. She’s working on a book about first crushes. This fascination has prompted a second book, First Fantasy.
Though Batman was fun and sexy and allowed her to achieve worldwide recognition, Julie enjoyed the creative challenge of “My Living Doll†even more. She co-starred with Bob Cummings in 1964-65.
It was about the perfect woman, albeit robotic. The role required her to have an IQ of 160 plus. Critics loved the show, which was shown in black and white, but it lasted only one season. It’s newly available on DVD.
Before appearing on television shows, Julie danced on Broadway (her legs were insured for $10 million); she was no doubt inspired by her mother, a veteran of the Ziegfield Follies. From her father she received her height and a strong sense of personal integrity.
Julie has lived in Brentwood 30 years and loves it here. She especially loves the climate: “You can grow anything here.â€
Her garden is world famous; It is a favorite garden among those raising money for charitable causes. Her efforts have been duly recognized by those in the know: a rose, a day lily and a begonia have all been named after her (a movie was named after her, as well: “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar†, 1995).
When asked about life in Brentwood, Julie says she is a big fan of the Daily Grill. She misses Brentwood Stationers, which closed in 2010. She thinks Charlie Munger should be able to create the retail project he wants. She also can’t stand leaf blowers; the sound interferes with her ability to think, she says.
This fall, Julie will be honored at The California Women’s Conference http://californiawomensconference.com, to be held in Long Beach September 23 and 24. She will be a keynote speaker and be recognized as a “Legendary Lady of Stage and Screen.â€
Julie and other keynote speakers and panels will address such topics as business, health/wellness, parenting, finance, personal development, beauty, fitness/sports, charitable service, and more.
This year’s lineup will include Gloria Allred and Patricia Arquette, Kami Cotler, Mary McDonough, Judy Norton and Michael Learned of the hit series, “The Walton’s†, as well as stage and screen stars Rose Marie and Tippi Hedren.
Maira Shriver is responsible for the ultimate success of the conference, which was started by Governor Deukmejian’s wife Gloria Saatjian 28 years ago. Julie says we all need to live on a “higher shelf†as if preparing for the next life.
Assuming this is the case – and Julie is quite convincing – those who want to bone up should go to www.julienewmar.com,
www.julienewmarwrites.com
Julie Newmar is pretty darned purr…fect.
